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Police sergeant education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a police sergeant. Police sergeants usually study criminal justice, business, or law enforcement. 48% of police sergeants hold a bachelor's degree, and 27% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 2,798 real police sergeant resumes to see exactly what police sergeant education sections show.

The most common colleges for police sergeants are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online police sergeant courses to help get the education required to be a police sergeant.

There are certain police sergeant certifications that you should consider. These police sergeant certifications include Certified Security Supervision & Management (CSS) and Board Certification in Criminal Trial Law.

What education do you need to become a police sergeant?

What degree do you need to be a police sergeant?

The most common degree for police sergeants is bachelor's degree, with 48% of police sergeants earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 27% and associate degree degree at 11%.
  • Bachelor's, 48%
  • Associate, 27%
  • Master's, 11%
  • High School Diploma, 8%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a police sergeant?

You should major in criminal justice to become a police sergeant. 53% of police sergeants major in criminal justice. Other common majors for a police sergeant include business and law enforcement.

Most common colleges for police sergeants

Police sergeants often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Union Institute & University, and Columbia Southern University. Here are the most common colleges for police sergeants in the US based on their resumes.
Police sergeant common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix16.10%
Union Institute & University8.78%
Columbia Southern University7.32%
Saint Leo University7.32%
Northwestern University6.83%

Best majors for police sergeants

RankMajorPercentages
1Criminal Justice53.4%
2Business9.0%
3Law Enforcement8.5%
4Law3.8%
5General Studies2.8%

Best colleges for police sergeants

The best colleges for police sergeants are Northeastern University, Boston University, and George Washington University, The.

A police sergeant with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for police sergeants. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become police sergeants.

1. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

3. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

4. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

5. University of New Haven

West Haven, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$39,270

Enrollment

5,041

6. University of Georgia

Athens, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,830

Enrollment

29,474

7. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

8. SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,011

Enrollment

13,434

9. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

10. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

20 best online courses for police sergeants

Advertising disclosure

1. Hot Topics in Criminal Justice

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The American criminal justice system is in need of reform. We incarcerate too many people. We pay insufficient attention to scientific advances that can help separate out the most and least culpable and dangerous. We grant the police far too much power to use force and technological surveillance. As a way of thinking about dealing with these problems, this course examines two over-arching issues: What should we do with people who have committed crime, and how should we identify who they are? On...

2. Introduction to International Criminal Law

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-- About the Course -- From the Nuremberg trial to the case against Saddam Hussein, from the prosecution of Al-Qaeda terrorists to the trial of Somali pirates – no area of law is as important to world peace and security as international criminal law. Taught by one of the world’s leading experts in the field, this course will educate students about the fundamentals of international criminal law and policy. We will explore the contours of international crimes such as genocide, war crimes,...

3. Criminal Law in 120 Minutes: A Fast Track Course

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A 2 hour fast track summary of Criminal Law, targeting all common law LL.B examinations!...

4. Criminology and Criminal Psychology Certified CSI+ Course

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Learn Criminal Law and Start your career with certification of Criminal Law and Criminal Psychology, Learn Criminology...

5. International Law In Action: Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes

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‘Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes’ is the second course in Leiden University’s new series on International Law in Action. The first course covered international courts and tribunals in The Hague in general. This second course provides an insider perspective into the work of international criminal courts and tribunals. You will learn about the investigation and prosecution of international crimes in The Hague. Atrocities produce unspeakable forms of violence. We will explore...

6. An Introduction to American Law

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This course will give you a glimpse into six different areas of American law: Tort Law, Contract Law, Property, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, and Civil Procedure. You will gain insight into the complexities and dilemmas that arise from the application of law in different settings, and what is distinctive about American approaches...

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9. What is Corruption: Anti-Corruption and Compliance

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Have you ever paid someone for doing you a favor? You may be accustomed to tipping wait staff or other service providers, but what if you paid a police officer for NOT issuing a parking ticket? Or if you gave a “gift” to a government official for signing a contract with your company? Tipping might be okay, but paying a bribe is a violation of the law. Bribery is widespread and exists almost everywhere and in many forms. Compliance programs address this and other forms of corruption. In this...

10. International Law in Action: A Guide to the International Courts and Tribunals in The Hague

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International Law in Action explains the functions of each international court and tribunal present in The Hague, and it looks at how these institutions address contemporary problems. On the basis of selected cases, and through interviews with judges and lawyers, you will explore the role of these courts and tribunals and their potential to contribute to global justice. The first module of the course will investigate how judicial settlement is different from other more political forms of...

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Effective Legal Office Administration...

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13. European Business Law: Understanding the Fundamentals

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The European Union is one of the world’s largest and most important economies. This six week course is the first in a series of three that will provide students with an insight into European Business Law. The series ranges from considering the basic structures and principles of the European Union to focusing on various specialized areas of law. Each course will give the students an understanding of the laws and policies that regulate the internal market of European Union, as well as relevant...

14. Privacy Law and HIPAA

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What does it take to comply with privacy laws? In this course, we’ll look at the practical aspects of navigating the complex landscape of privacy requirements. Better understanding privacy laws and data protection will enable you to protect your organization and the constituents that depend on your organization to safeguard their personal information. First, we will examine the historical context that drove the creation of laws, best practices, and other standards for protecting personal...

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Become a specialist in criminal investigations and forensic profiling, start your career and add certificate to resume!...

20. Cyber Crime Analyst Part 1

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Types of Cyber Crime...

Top 10 most affordable universities for police sergeants

The most affordable schools for police sergeants are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for police sergeants are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for police sergeants.

1. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

5. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

6. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

7. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

8. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

9. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

10. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for police sergeants

The hardest universities for police sergeants to get into are Northeastern University, Boston University, and George Washington University, The.

Some great schools for police sergeants are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for police sergeants based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

2. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

3. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

4. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

7. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

8. American University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

32%

SAT average

1,320

9. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY • Private

Admissions rate

50%

SAT average

1,284

10. University of Denver

Denver, CO • Private

Admissions rate

56%

SAT average

1,300

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for police sergeants

The easiest schools for police sergeants to get into are Notre Dame College, nyack college, and gwynedd mercy university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a police sergeant without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for police sergeants.

1. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

2. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

3. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

4. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

5. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

6. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

7. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

8. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

9. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

10. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

Average police sergeant salary by education level

According to our data, police sergeants with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $78,626 annually. Police sergeants with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $74,265.
Police sergeant education levelPolice sergeant salary
Master's Degree$78,626
High School Diploma or Less$60,845
Bachelor's Degree$74,265
Some College/ Associate Degree$63,698

Police sergeant education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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